Chronic constipation, nothing is helping!?

So I've always had bowel problems. It started at such a young age. My mom used to have to give me enemas. During my teens I never went the average amount but I usually went every 3 to 4 days which I guess was normal for me. Now, I am in my early twenties (24 to be exact) and I'm not sure what is going on but I can't go without taking a laxative or stool softener. And even these hardly do the job. I have GERD (acid reflux disease) so I bloat really easily after just about anything I eat or drink.I'm not sure if this is the cause to my constipation because my digestive system is slower than normal. So maybe it takes longer for food to process through me than regular, but I have not a clue. I didn't get diagnosed with GERD until just this past year when I had unexplainable pain and hearburn for several weeks. After many tests, it was discovered I had acid reflux disease. Now to talk about my poo, I go once every 8-9 days. This, I know, is not healthy. Also, after I have a bowel movement (big or small) I feel pressure on my anus to go again. Even though, if I were to try and go again nothing would come out. Is this a sign of irritable bowel syndrome? When I go, I push so hard. I have to or else I would just be sitting there with no result. Many times I am able to get some of it out but it is almost always a small lump/ball. I have these results usually once or twice a day. I know I am not done because after a whole week of eating lots of food, you can't tell me that's all the waste I have in me. However, after as long as over a week I am able to have a medium to large BM that makes me feel empty inside. Usually after these I feel much better. But then the following week I go through the same thing. I have tried Exlax and this does nothing. I have tried a stool softener and they I think help somewhat but I don't have a BM in the recommended time span. It's usually a lot longer. You're probably wondering what my diet is like and I really don't eat that much. To break it down, I get up in the morning usually between 8 and 10 am. I have something to drink usually juice and something to snack on. As of late it has been a banana because in the morning first thing I have little appetite. Then I usually go most the day with no significant amount of food. I may have a snack, something small like a cookie or a candy bar. And around dinnertime I have a big meal. Typical meals are spaghetti and garlic bread, fish and veggies, chicken and potatoes. Once in awhile we order out or go out to eat. I am not overweight I don't think. 5'6 and 150 lbs. But I bloat no matter what goes into my body. Large meal or small, I usually look like I'm pregnant after I eat. And no, I have never been pregnant. I will admit I haven't been exercising like I should but since all this has gotten so bad I have started. I do a mile to 2 mile walk at home video because after lots of research exercise gets the poop moving! Unfortunately, I have been exercising about 2 to 3 times a week for the past 3 weeks and no change. So I feel like I have tried about everything. I have not seen my doctor because I think all he would say is it's just constipation, change your lifestyle and that'd be that. It is very frustrating and does cause some anxiety. I don't know what to really do at this point.

Responses (3)

aenglis6, firstly I'm sorry to hear of your continuing bowel problems. I'm not a doctor, but a self-educated (when it comes to medical matters) woman due to being through the mill with severe incurable chronic pain conditions (& PTSD). I know quite a few women with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) who have had similar symptoms as yourself. The important thing is that your situation isn't improving and you say you feel like you've "tried just about everything".

I would definitely recommend that you see your doctor and if he isn't helpful, then get a second opinion. I would also keep a diary of what you eat and how you feel, any weight fluctuations, bloating and also gradually increase the amount of water you drink to about 2 litres a day (more if it's hot and/or you've been exercising). Ideally, you'd limit your meals to small, frequent ones to avoid overloading an already sensitive stomach and to reduce symptoms and keep your blood sugar levels up (and, hence, energy levels and mood). You may have food allergies which will need to be worked out by medical specialists and perhaps a dietitian who works with sufferers of food allergy. To get to the bottom of this matter (no pun intended), you will need to seek competent medical advice from a qualified medical practitioner and likely a specialist.

You really need the situation worked out and that means you'll need a doctor to see you, go through the symptoms and information you've written in your post here, and ideally have a referral to a gastroenterologist.

Depending on your symptoms, you may be referred to have an X-ray called a barium swallow and meal, a CT scan, MRI scan or an ultrasound scan. One of those, or a combination, may help pinpoint what's going on.

If one of these tests doesn't show conclusive results or in order to double-check any findings you may need an gastroscopy/endoscopy. I've had an endoscopy many years ago when I developed ulcers from all the strong prescription Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories given for an inflammation of my uterus (after retained placental fragments were left behind after giving birth, led to an infection and then an inflammation). It was under light sedation which sent me into sleep so I wasn't awake for it, and I'm glad it was done as it indicated the ulcers had finally gone.

You do mention at the start of your query, " I've always had bowel problems. It started at such a young age. My mom used to have to give me enemas" and I know from speaking with women who've had problems like yours that repeated enemas, especially when one is young, often damages the anatomy and can cause a slowing down of the peristalsis, which slows down absorption of nutrients-as does the diagnosis of acid reflux you mentioned. You can't undo the enemas you were given but it does sound like they may have unfortunately worsened things for you in the long-term.

It does sound to me like you have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) but it could be something else and only seeing your doctor will you be able to get the relevant tests (some mentioned by me above) and a referral to a gastroenterologist to find out. IBS is only able to be diagnosed once all other possible medical conditions are ruled out, so please see your doctor and, as I said, if he's not helpful, see a different doctor for a second opinion. But please do go-you're obviously stressed and unwell and there's nothing to lose by seeking medical advice except to continue to suffer and you don't need to, sweetie.

I hope this helps a bit. I'm not having a great day re. pain myself today, so I can't write any more for now. All the best to you, and please see your doctor and get this sorted out. Best wishes, Zirnitra (from Australia).

banana is a great fruit however it is usually taken if you have diarrhea that means it is for hardening the poop so if you consume it specially in the morning you'll increase the tendency of having difficulty in defecation... i am a bloater myself and i search for natural remedies to cleanse my digestive system.. have you tried fibers? papaya is a good start and i am sure you'll find relief, immediately...

Excuse me but did you miss the part in the post about constant enemas maybe? What do you think colonic irrigation is? It's a 'sexed up' euphemism for an enema. I guess by enema you were thinking of those nasty little single use tubes which employ a powerful irritant in a mineral oil base which also provides some lubrication to get a BM.

The issue is clearly more complex than you appear to have presumed (sorry if I am mistaken).